Obituary: Marthe Duval Deschenes, 86, Shelton

SHELTON, CT - (From Cody-White Funeral Home) Marthe Duval Deschenes, 86, Shelton, CT, formerly of Lewiston, Maine, passed away on Thursday, March 31, after a brief illness.

A beloved wife and mother, she is survived by her husband of 57 years, Normand Deschenes (Shelton, CT; formerly of Lewiston, ME), and daughter Suzanne Deschenes (Shelton, CT), as well as several brothers and sisters in Quebec, Canada.

She is predeceased by her children Mark Deschenes and Vickie Deschenes, and her parents, Alphonse and Aurena Duval (St. Pascal, Quebec).

Marthe Duval was born in St. Pascal, Quebec, Canada and grew up on a dairy farm near the banks of the St. Lawrence River. After earning her teaching certificate, she taught at grammar schools in the province of Quebec.

She married her beloved husband, Lewiston native Normand Deschenes, on July 1, 1964 in St. Pascal and moved to Lewiston where she taught French at St. Peter’s School and St. Dominic High School for several years.

She and her husband served as foster parents until the birth of their first daughter, Suzanne.

Over the next 7 years, they adopted their second daughter Vickie and son Mark. Marthe and Normand operated a daycare in their home for over 21 years, offering quality care and early education for many children who loved her and called her “Tante”.

A fierce and tireless advocate for her own children over the years, she never failed to care for and support them through significant health challenges and life issues.

She was very creative, having an uncanny knack for devising practical solutions for various household and personal needs, and she had a gift for knitting, crocheting and sewing.

Marthe enjoyed reading, family trips to the coast and the White Mountains and Quebec, and she loved her sweets, especially ice cream and maple products.

She had a vivid sense of humor, pulling innocent pranks on many an unsuspecting person, especially her family. In her later years, she was known for her sweet, gentle smile. Her passionate love and strong will and mind that sustained so many will be sorely missed, especially by her family. A temps tot, cher Maman!

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, April 23, 2022, 10:30 am, St. Lawrence Church, 505 Shelton Ave., Shelton, CT. The Mass will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/StLawrenceShelton/.

Interment will be held at a later date at St. Peter's Cemetery in Lewiston, Maine.

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